The MEROLA Act explained
This page provides information about the Mineral and Energy Resources and Other Legislation Amendment (MEROLA) Act 2024. It outlines the changes and when they will begin.
Changes to expand the role of the former Gasfields Commission Queensland, now Coexistence Queensland, and the Office of Groundwater Impact Assessment commenced in 2024.
The changes that expand the role of the Land Access Ombudsman (LAO) have now been postponed for 1 year, providing more time to effectively implement its new role. Over the next 12 months, we are progressing different changes at different times for the LAO, including:
- standing up the advisory council
- preparing a budget and budget guidelines in consultation with the advisory council
- developing the LAO Regulation in consultation with stakeholders.
These changes will all work together to ensure the new role of the LAO is ready to commence by June 2026.
All other changes commenced on 19 June 2025.
Coexistence institutional changes
Coexistence Queensland (formerly Gasfields Commission Queensland)
The Gasfields Commission Queensland has been renamed Coexistence Queensland, and its role has been expanded. It now:
- addresses a broader range of coexistence issues beyond the onshore gas industry
- provides advice to government
- supports engagement between landholders, industry and the community.
This broader role aims to foster better relationships between agriculture, renewable energy and resources sector, including the critical minerals industry.
The Office of Groundwater Impact Assessment (OGIA)
OGIA’s functions have expanded to provide independent scientific advice on subsurface impacts from petroleum and gas activities, where requested by relevant government entities. This expansion will help us stay informed about subsurface impact issues from authorised petroleum and gas activities, and support coexistence between landholders and the resources sector.
The Land Access Ombudsman (LAO)
The LAO's role is expanding to include investigating access agreement breaches and offering voluntary dispute resolution service for parties negotiating or re-negotiating make good agreements, conduct and compensation agreements, access agreements, and compensation agreements relating to mining claims and mining leases.
To support this, the LAO will be funded through an industry funding model—an annual levy for operations and quarterly fee for specific dispute resolution and investigations. As the LAO shifts to full industry funding, it will become a statutory body with enhanced financial oversight and reporting obligations.
An advisory council, including an independent chair and representatives from agricultural and resources sectors, will guide the LAO and Minister of the LAO's budget, policy issues and the operation of the Act.
The LAO Regulation will develop a funding model, and we will consult with stakeholders to ensure it is fair and effective. The consultation will take place before the regulation is implemented in June 2026.
Improved regulatory efficiency
Amendments to the land release process
To improve critical mineral exploration, the Minister has discretion over how and when relinquished land is re-released for application. This may be used instead of the 2-month re-release requirement and allows for more strategic land allocation based on state priorities. The existing over-the-counter application process following a 2-month moratorium remains in place.
Threshold for aerial surveying
Aerial surveys conducted at 1,000ft or above no longer require entry notices or periodic reports. This change reduces the administrative burden for both resource companies and landholders.
Fossicking in a mining lease application area
Fossickers must seek written approval from a mining lease holder or mining claim holder before fossicking on a mining lease or mining claim. As well as this, they now need to obtain written permission from a mining lease applicant if fossicking in a mining lease application area. This ensures exploratory activities by resource companies are protected. Outside of these mining areas, fossicking is still allowed on designated fossicking land or where permission is granted by landholders or reserve owners.
Rent deferral framework
To support industry at times when they are impacted by circumstances outside of their control, the Minister, may declare a hardship area to defer the rent payable for a resource authority. The intention is to include events that cause a serious disruption to operations carried out on the authority, such as natural disasters or pandemics. The Minister's deferral declaration can be for a period of up to 12 months and may be extended if the hardship continues.